Chapter 65: Diamond Colossus: Triumph of Courage

"Oh, I can't believe my eyes! Am I mistaken, or is this indeed the landscape of my homeland? This is where I was born, this is the 'Tranquil Forest Zone.' Mizuchi Haruka gazed around in every direction within the 'Challenge Room.' The more she looked at everything before her, the more joyous and exhilarated she felt. She plucked an exceptionally beautiful flower and adorned it in her hair. Suddenly, a gentle-looking old man appeared right in front of her.

"My father, I miss you so much!"

She ran to embrace her father, but as she took a few steps, the old man collapsed right before her eyes, turning instantly into dust.

"Princess of the Flower, congratulations on your return home. Today, I shall eliminate you!"

A withered tree resembling a human figure seized the life of Mizuchi Haruka's father. The withered tree chuckled ominously, menacing her.

"Who are you?" Mizuchi Haruka asked fearfully. It was difficult for her to pronounce these words, perhaps the overwhelming fear in her mind hindered her pronunciation.

"I am your greatest fear! I am the one who took your father's life. I am the one who destroyed your homeland. You came to this academy to become stronger and return to avenge me. Now, I stand before you. If you want to avenge me, then do so, if you're capable! My nickname is 'The Reaper's Sapling.' The name people commonly call me is 'The Reaper's Sapling' Shinigami no Shidare."

"No! No! Please don't harm me, I cannot defeat you, you are too powerful and cruel!"

"Oh! Snow Sky-Dog, the handsome deity waiting outside dislikes weak girls facing the challenges they are forced to confront! Perhaps he loves Seraphina Frostwind more than he loves you!"

"The Reaper's Sapling' Shinigami no Shidare, you be silent! You have no right to interfere with my pure love for Snow Sky-Dog! I know you are the scourge of the gods possessing magical powers of plant-based magic because you are The God of Decay. So, I will defeat you without using magic. I will use the combat skills of a warrior to fight you without magic. I know that inflicting physical damage on you to defeat you will be very difficult because you are a mighty and evil deity. But even so, I will overcome you. Snow Sky-Dog and Kurogami Masayuki have both overcome their greatest fears and so will I, I cannot fall behind them! 'The Reaper's Sapling' Shinigami no Shidare, accept your punishment!"

Mizuchi Haruka drew her sharp dagger and lunged to attack "The Reaper's Sapling" Shinigami no Shidare.

Mizuchi Haruka couldn't contain her fear when facing "The Reaper's Sapling" Shinigami no Shidare, a demonic entity in the form of a withered tree, exuding cruelty and cunning. She reassured herself that she must fight and protect the ones she loves. Although she knew her plant-based magic would be futile against the wiles of Shinigami no Shidare, she remained determined not to give up.

Mizuchi Haruka realized that to defeat a powerful demon like Shinigami no Shidare, she needed to employ the fighting skills her father had taught her. She couldn't lose courage and determination, no matter how slim the chances of victory were.

The battle began, and nothing could stop Mizuchi Haruka from unleashing punches, and sharp sword strikes towards "The Reaper's Sapling" Shinigami no Shidare. Both exerted their utmost, with Haruka focusing on agile strikes with her dagger, while Shinigami no Shidare utilized his demonic strength to unleash dangerous waves of decay.

Each blow and attack inflicted many wounds on Mizuchi Haruka, but she kept on struggling and fighting, with all the strength and patience she had. Her mind overflowed with determination, and she never gave up, no matter how fierce the fight became.

Meanwhile, Shinigami no Shidare continued to spew out waves of decay, but she learned to dodge and counterattack, trying to find weaknesses in her enemy's defense.

The duel lasted, grand and fierce. But ultimately, Mizuchi Haruka found a moment, a small gap in Shinigami no Shidare's arsenal. And she used it to end the fight with a decisive blow, enough to defeat the wicked foe.

With perseverance, strength, and courage, Mizuchi Haruka emerged victorious over Shinigami no Shidare. It was a great triumph, a turning point in her journey to becoming a true warrior.

"Well done, beautiful goddess!"

Mizuchi Haruka glanced towards the voice. She saw a handsome, young man, tall and clad in fiery red attire, speaking to her.

"Who are you? Do I have to continue fighting with you?" Mizuchi Haruka asked. If she had to continue fighting, perhaps she couldn't withstand another round!

"Oh, no! You've done very well! Now I will grant you a new magical power. Whatever magical power you desire, just say it, and I will fulfill your every request!"

Mizuchi Haruka pondered for a long while before speaking:

"I want the magical power of the diamond to counter the steel magical power of that wretch Ryujin Tetsu!"

The man in the red suit smiled. Mizuchi Haruka immediately felt her body rapidly and suddenly transforming. She had turned into a giant diamond being.

"You have a new combat form and a new name, it is 'The Diamond Colossus'."

Mizuchi Haruka felt the new powerful magic of the diamond magic power flooding her body. The sensation was unlike anything she had experienced before. Her body radiated dazzling light, reflecting the brilliance of diamonds and the ruggedness and unbreakable strength of the material.

"Yes, I will use this power to confront Ryujin Tetsu and put an end to his schemes," Mizuchi Haruka said with undeniable determination.

The man in the red suit nodded in encouragement.

"I trust in your strength and will. Go face your new challenge, Mizuchi Haruka, The Diamond Colossus."

Mizuchi Haruka thanked the man and left the forest, embarking on a new journey with belief and determination. Her heart beat strong, filled with the will to fight and determination to win. It was her mission, and she couldn't let anything stop her.

On her path, Mizuchi Haruka learned many things. She grew not only physically stronger but also mentally stronger. She learned that patience, spiritual strength, and cunning are the keys to every victory. Thus, she moved forward, ready to face any challenge and overcome any difficulty on the road to becoming a true warrior.

In the chilly wind of the Tranquil Forest Zone, Mizuchi Haruka walked with firm steps, her eyes shining like the flames of unyielding determination. Within her was a firm belief and an indomitable will like that of a diamond. A new journey lay ahead of her, one full of daunting challenges yet also full of potential and hope.

With her newfound strength, The Diamond Colossus was determined to confront Ryujin Tetsu and put an end to his schemes. Her strides became more powerful, yet within her, it wasn't just physical strength but also the mental fortitude and courage to overcome all obstacles.

In the days gone by, she had endured countless hardships and trials, but each fear, each pain was a lesson, a step forward in her growth. And now, she knew that anything could be overcome with enough patience, strength, and willpower.

Stepping into this new journey, Mizuchi Haruka was not just a girl named Diamond Colossus, but a true warrior goddess, ready to face any challenge, surpass any difficulty, protect those she held dear, and thwart all lurking dangers. And with every gust of wind, with every rainfall, she would advance, defeating all hostile adversaries, and become a legend across all three worlds.